Energy Resources

1. How is petroleum formed? Trace the chemical transformation of organic material to its final form as industrial and consumer products.(LoCasto, Dec 6)
2. What is peak oil theory? What is the evidence for and against it? What are alternative theories? What does it imply that we should do for the future? (Smutz, Dec 6)
3. Compare the carbon emissions from various fossil fuels. Why are they different? How does moving to a plug-in electric cars affect carbon emissions? Why? (Sheehan, Dec 6)
4. What are the latest designs for nuclear power plants? What problems do they seek to overcome? Where in the world are they being developed and used? (Riesburg, Dec 6)
5. What are the latest breakthroughs in solar energy? in energy-savings in home construction and home life? (Bainbridge, Dec 11)
6. What are the strengths and weaknesses of mass transit, particularly high-speed rail? What is the state-of-the-art? (Nie, Dec 11)
7. What is the state-of-the-art in self-driving vehicles? What electronic devices enable them to navigate successfully? (Consider also airplanes.) (Leytem, Dec 11)
8. What is acid mine drainage? What are its causes and impacts? (Magee, Dec 13)
9. What is a fuel cell? How does it work? What are its uses? (Borah, Dec 13)